TTM: Eric Nesterenko

  In 1956, Eric Nesterenko attended classes at the University of Toronto during the week, then on the weekend, he played for the Chicago Black Hawks.  Could you imagine that ever happening in today's NHL?  I sent him a parkhurst card and a 4x6.  I also sent an extra copy of the4x6 for him to keep.  Mr. Nesterenko returned the card and both 4x6s signed.  Thank you Mr. Nesterenko.

TTM: Dale Hunter

  An excellent 3 card return from the NHL's #2 All-Time in Penalty Minutes.  Dale Hunter spent the majority of his career with the Washington Capitals but I will best remember him as a Quebec Nordique.  He played in an era when a rivalry, such as Montreal vs Quebec, meant bad blood, and lots of it.
  While Quebec fans may have been sad to see Dale Hunter go, part of the packaged they received was the Washington Capital's 1st round pick in the 1987 draft.

Sent: October 19th
Received November 21st

c/o London Knights

88-89 OPC Tribute: Kane, Thomas and Smith

 Here comes a long overdue update for the 88-89 OPC Tribute Set.  Patrick Kane has made a name for himself, on and off the ice.  The 1st overall pick from the 2007 NHL draft has made a Sylvain Turgeon card worth more than a dime, won a Calder Trophy, partied hardy, punched a cabbie, harnessed the power of the mullet, and scored the 2010 Stanley Cup winning goal.  If he could learn to use a mouthguard he could be unstoppable.

  Tim Thomas has been finding almost everything stoppable of late.  Thomas is a two time Vezina trophy winner and last year's Conn Smyhte winner from the Stanley Cup Champions, Boston Bruins.  Tim Thomas got a late start in the NHL, only playing NHL 4 games before age 31.  Tim Thomas was originally a 9th round draft pick, 217th overall,  by the Quebec Nordiques in 1994.  He later spent time in the Edmonton Oilers farm system before signing with the Boston Bruins in 2002.  Thomas is  great inspiration for player still toiling in the minors in the mid-20's.

  Craig Smith has been an early surprise contender for the rookie scoring race.  A 4th round pick from 2009,  Smith is currently second in rookie points behind Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.  If Smith keeps his scoring pace up, he could be a finalist for the Calder Trophy.  If not, Smith might best be remembered for his empty net miss.  He had better luck attacking empty nets while playing with Wisconsin.  Ain't Karma a bitch?

 

TTM: Don Beaupre

This return from Don Beaupre was sent out October 26th and was received November 21st.  It was sent to his home but the postmark on the return envelope was from his business address.   Beaupre spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota North Stars and the Washington Capitals before finishing his career with stints in Ottawa and Toronto.   Mr. Beaupre signed both cards and a 4x6 for me.  He kept the extra copy of the 4x6.  It is just as exciting to have a player keep a custom as it is to get it back signed.

TTM Success: Stephane Richer

I remember when Stephane Richer became a household name in the late 80s.  He had two 50 goal years with the Montreal Canadiens in the late 80s.  His is one of only 2 players to have 2 or more 50 goal seasons with the Canadiens.  He never came close to 50 goals again.  He led the New Jersey Devils in scoring in the 1995 Playoffs while wining his second career Stanley Cup.   I sent the letter out on October 5th and received it on November 16th.  I sent Mr. Richer two copies of the picture and offered the extra to him.  He signed and returned both.  He signed even farther outside the auto box on the other copy.

Stephane Richer TTM

 I haven't updated a lot of late.  I had to juggle shifts last week, and this upcoming week, so I could escape to Edmonton for the weekend.  You know you are in tough when Edmonton in late November is considered an escape.  I picked up some cards I want to blog about and found a few TTMs in my mailbox when I returned home today.  So if I can find the time and the gumption, I should have several posts this week.

TTM Sucess: Dickie Moore

I received two returns from Montreal Canadiens HHOFers on November 15th.  The second being Dickie Moore.  Dickie Moore won back-to-back Art Ross Trophies in 1958 and 1959.  In 1959 he set a record with 96 points in a season, which stood for seven seasons.  The Hockey News ranked Dickie Moore as the 4th best Left Winger of all-time.   This was a quick return as I sent it out October 27th and received it on November 15th,  Thank you Mr. Moore.   There are a couple of noteworthy items regarding this TTM.  It's the first look at the Dickie Moore 88-89 OPC Tribute card and it's my first return of a 2006-07 Parkhurst card.  I have about a dozen of those cards out in the mail now and will continue to peck away at the set.  The most exciting part of this return was that Dickie Moore kept the extra copy of the 88-89 OPC Tribute picture.  I double checked the envelope a few times to make sure it wasn't stuck in there.  This is the first time anyone took up my offer of keeping a copy of the picture.  The thought that he tossed the extra in garbage along with the LOR has crossed my mind but screw off Mr Pessimism.  There is a 88-89 OPC Tribute card on Mr. Moore's fridge at this very moment. I can see it now.  Sweet!

TTM Success: Guy Lafleur

88-89 OPC Tribute #103 - Guy Lafleur

Received a nice return from HHOF legend Guy Lafleur.  We sent 3 pictures, plus an extra of each for him to keep if he wished.  He didn't wish it, so he signed all of them and returned them.  So we got 2 copies of each picture.  I say we since my girlfriend picked out Guy Lafleur for the TTM.   She got his autograph back in 2006 (I think) at the Toronto Sportscard Expo.  She then gave that auto to her dad.  Since she wanted an autograph for herself, the third picture we sent to Mr. Lafleur was that of her and Guy together at the show.  Guy inscribed "Amities" on the picture above his name. For the one of the customs, he didn't sign in the box in one picture, but the auto in blue looks sharp against the red jersey.   The pictures were sent out on September 26th and received November 15th.  Thank you Mr. Lafleur.